Day 1 Notes
Concepts, Ideas and Classroom Application


June 13, 2011

Blaine Introduction and Overview: Accomplishment of Five Year Plan and next steps. Use of technology (Alan November) and curriculum audit (Bill Daggett and Ray McNult); these two entities will work together to suggest recommendations to provide rigor and relevance in curriculum for SBISD students. Recommendations will cover C & I, professional development, and technology.
New Coaching structure: 37 campus coaches includes 8 lead coaches, 4 elementary by subject, 4 secondary by subject

Brian and Jim (November Learning)
Need to focus on big ideas with use of technology. Being engaged with technology does not necessarily mean learning is taking place. (View websites: ChaCha, Wolfram Alpha, Khan Academy)

Information is easy to come by. Where to find it and how to evaluate it is key.
1. How to search:
  • Twitter as a professional development tool - use of hashtags (i.e: sbisdel.wikispaces.com).
  • Google - How do sites get ranked in Google? *(Do not use "sponsored" links as information is biased.) Use key words to limit search (i.e. site:) or do "advanced search". Teach students to manage tools. Who do we narrow the search to and how are we going to narrow it?
  • Other kid friendly sites: Sweet Search and Kid Rex

2. How to validate: 4 steps (REAL)
  • R = Read the website address - .net says anyone could have invented the page versus .org, .mil, etc. On web address, delete everything after .net
  • E = Examine contents of the page (skimming and scanning); Ask questions about information. Look for facts and cross reference the facts.
  • A = Ask about the author or owner. Who has created the site? Generally it is at the bottom of the page.
  • L = Look at the links (2 types: forward or back). You have control over forward links, but not on back links.



Afternoon Session:
Be aware that what you read on the web is not necessarily true. Snoopes.com is a good place to verify rumors.
You can create a tag for your building.
Emphasis: building a learning community in your classroom.

Motivators: Autonomy. Kids need to take ownership of their learning, Technique. Team. Authentic Tasks. Give the students a job:

Class Scribes for those that miss something and/or to verify important information- Darren's class, Google Docs, http://ietherpad, titanpad.com. Each child takes notes and shares with the class. ("Star and wish" to teach good note taking. Star the impt information, wish you would have included.) For those without internet/computer/technology access, encourage the use of the library.

Tutorial Designers. If the students desgin the tutorials and lessons, the learning increases. Mathtrain.TV The kids can make tutorials to teach other kiddos. jingproject.com. (KACE) screencast-o-matic.
Use u-tube to your advantage. The kids use it all of the time!
Encourage the kids to solve their problems or questions. "Before you ask me, check with three." or check the boards. Look for the answer before you go to the teacher.
Some folks are hesitant to publish or go public. The kids will learn so much more if you do.

Tool Developers. Educational opportunity for searching.
Custom Search (allows you to custimize the sites you want the kids to search. Google-to-more-to-even more-to-custom search), Poll Daddy, Google Forms. Copy and paste the addresses (one typo mistake will wreck your search).
Moviemaker, photopeach, movietrailer. A good way to make a movie. The movie could be used to do a book review ir share something they have learned.

Curruculum Review. This Week in Review, Wiki's, Skype an author-15 minutes of time for free. Search people that are the subjects of the books. Collaboration

World Relations. Empathy-"Win the Peace", Kiva.org, (Make loans to small business owners to learn about finances, economy and money across the world.) Student Group, Our Group. Diigo (to save website bookmarks). Delisious.
(Ok, I got a little distracted...probably missed something-sorry!)